Whenever, in time of threatened epidemic or injury to the public health, the state department shall consider that a health officer should be appointed for any port or maritime place other than Perth Amboy, the state department may appoint a competent person as temporary port health officer for such place, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the department and shall receive as compensation for his services the fees which he collects under this article.
N.J.S. § 26:4-116